Gordy Nordby Benefit

I want to send a heartfelt thanks for all the generosity shown by the Braham and surrounding communities, friends, relatives and strangers alike. I am truly humbled. My family is blessed to live in the area.

The help given by Veteran Groups and Auxiliaries from surrounding communities. I am truly thankful.

Braham Event Center is a remarkable place for a large event. I want to thank the staff for their help in making the event successful.

A big Thank You to the band “Rezort” for the excellent music for the night.

Again many, many thanks!!

Gordy Nordby and Family

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Loving Mother

Mary “Mike” Appleby died Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 at her home at the age of 90.
Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial; 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 12, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City. A time of visitation and reviewal is planned for one hour prior to the service at the church and Thursday evening Feb. 11, 2016 from 5-7 p.m. at the Swanson Funeral Chapel.
Full obituary notice to follow next week
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service ~ Swanson Chapel of Pine City, MN.
www.funeralandcremationservice.com

In recognition of “I Love to Read Month,” the Friends of the Isanti Area Library are holding its annual  Book Sale on Friday, Feb. 5 from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 6  from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Junction Bowl in Isanti.

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Hundreds of items have been generously donated by the public. Books will be on sale for just 25¢ each. Movies and audiobooks will also be available at bargain prices.

Funds raised by the Friends are used to promote the Isanti Outreach Library located in the Isanti City Hall. The Outreach Library is open every Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. The Friends also encourage learning and literacy in the community through reading programs and book donations for youth.

Book and DVD donations are always welcome and are collected at the SOS Classroom in Isanti. They especially need children’s books, westerns and large print items. No encyclopedias, textbooks, or Reader’s Digest condensed books.

Volunteers make their events possible and each one is appreciated immensely. If you would like to be involved in their fun and worthwhile projects, contact Susi@MessDistress.com or call 763-444-4585.

All are welcome join them at their Friends of the Isanti Area Library meetings on the third Monday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. Guests, as well as new members, are always welcome. Call for more information or visit www.IsantiLibrary.org.

Auditions for ABC Theatre Company’s production of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” will be held Friday, Feb. 5 from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Braham Event Center, 655 Eighth St. SW, Braham.

The show will be produced the weekend of April 1. No preparation needed. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

“The Importance of Being Earnest,” by Oscar Wilde is a witty, fast-paced comedy classic set in turn-of-the 20th century England. Visit www.abctheatrecompany.com for more information.

Free tax help is available for low income and elderly, provided by the AARP Tax Aide Program, located at the Chisago County Senior Center, 38790 Sixth Ave., North Branch.

They will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Feb. 13.  For an appointment call 651-674-8658.  The Cambridge location is no longer open.

To find other locations available to help, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

Carol Bray
Isanti County Master Gardener

It is (supposedly) the time of year that we have more time to research and plan what we’re going to plant, what we might change, what we might eliminate, what we might add, etc. to our gardens.

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Without really thinking about it, we might be doing the same basic vegetable gardening year after year.

Master Gardeners strongly recommend vegetable gardeners practice crop rotation. Crop rotation is the practice of growing a series of different types of vegetables in the same area in sequenced seasons. Crop rotation reduces soil erosion and increases soil fertility and crop yield.

You might also want to practice companion planting for beauty and for getting good mileage out of a small (or large) garden. This spring, plant in your garden what grows fast with what grows slowly. For example, beets grow well with radishes. Simply mix the two seed packets and sow the seeds directly into your garden. The radishes grow to full size in three to four weeks. When you harvest them, you’ll be making more room for the beets to continue developing.

Another consideration is to plant what grows high with what grows low. For example, plant tomatoes with impatience. The impatience appreciates the shade that the tomato plants provided, and they help smother weeds. The flower will attract pollinators, keep the soil temperature constant and provide beauty. It’s worth a try.

Speaking of pollinators, mark your calendar and make reservations for Isanti County Master Gardeners’ horticulture event: ‘Burst into Spring.’ Karl Ford is the keynote speaker and his presentation, “Getting to Know Insects (especially pollinators) as Our Ecosystem Partners Up Close and Personal,” will be timely and relevant. Ford is a University of Minnesota Extension Educator based in the Farmington Regional Extension Office. The event will be held Saturday, March 12, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Cambridge. You can see the brochure on our website and Facebook page.

For more information, visit Isanti County Master Gardeners website at www.isanticountymastergardeners.com, the University of Minnesota website at www.extension.umn.edu or call the Isanti County Master Gardeners at 763- 689-8254. You can also find us on Facebook at Isanti County Master Gardeners.

The following press release was provided by the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office:

The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, Isanti County Family Services and the Isanti County Attorney’s Office, have been working for the last several years to bring a children’s resource center to our area.

This center is used to assist children who are victims of sexual and physical abuse. Currently, victims have to travel to Minneapolis or St. Paul to obtain a forensic medical examination in these cases. Because of many obstacles, such as transportation, financial constraints and often times the timeliness of these appointments, these children do not get the medical examination that they need.

We are pleased to announce that in the Fall of 2015, we were awarded a $60,000 grant to start to work toward having such a facility in Isanti County.

This is all possible by a bill passed in the legislature by Rep. Brian Johnson. He authored HF503, which provided $1.2 million over three years for agencies in Minnesota to bring children’s advocacy centers to their area.

Isanti County was one of six such locations that were awarded dollars as startup money.

With this money, we have just hired a director, who will be obtaining a nonprofit status for the organization, obtain additional funding, working to locate a facility, as well as coordinate with other agencies so that we have a medical provider, mental health resources as well as a coordination with law enforcement and child protection.

It is basically all the services a child and their family would need to support them through this challenging process.

We are very excited to be able to bring this facility to Isanti County so that we can provide this valuable resource to the children and their families.

The Cambridge-Isanti Women’s Connection will hold its monthly luncheon on Monday, Feb. 8.

This month’s guest speaker is Karla Kolle from St. Cloud.Kolle will be speaking about “Life’s Journey’s.” Special feature is also Kolle, where she will be speaking and displaying her very large collection of teddy bears. Special music is by Laura Evenson singing and playing piano. Come and join for a wonderful lunch and even better fellowship.

The group meets at Spectacular Events (Spirit River Community Center) in Isanti from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All women from Cambridge, Isanti, Braham, North Branch, St. Francis, East Bethel and surrounding areas are invited to attend. Bring a neighbor or friend and get both of your names in a drawing for a prize.

Lunch will be served for $10 (payable at the door) and free childcare is available upon request. To reserve your place and lunch, call Linda before close of reservations by noon on the Thursday before the luncheon at 763-552-0801. Be sure to indicate if you are bringing children for childcare.

Spirit River Community Center is at 1320 County Road 5 NE, Isanti. CIWC is associated with Stonecroft Ministries whose mission is to help women connect with each other, their community and God. It is open to all women and all faiths.

Joe Nathan
ECM Columnist

As state and national legislators meet this year, I hope they’ll consider the unusually strong, recent criticism of the Higher Learning Commission from Eric Kaler, president of the University of Minnesota, and Steven Rosenstone, chancellor of the Minnesota State Colleges and University System.

Though many college grad students and faculty do not have a master’s degree (including faculty at St. Olaf, whose president chairs the HLC), the commission is demanding that high school faculty who teach college-level courses have a master’s in their fields or a master’s in teaching and 18 additional credits.

At a Dec. 18 P-20 Council meeting, Kaler described the HLC’s requirement as “ludicrous.” Rosenstone called them “intolerable and incomprehensible.” But they aren’t challenging the HLC. That’s in part because Congress gave the HLC the power to accredit colleges and universities in 19 states, including Minnesota. Without accreditation, colleges and universities can’t receive various federal funds.

In testimony at a Minnesota legislative hearing, HLC President Barbara Gellman-Danley offered no research to support the HLC’s demands.

Jeff McGonigal, Anoka-Hennepin School District associate superintendent, testified that the district currently has 28 teachers offering concurrent enrollment courses to 1,618 juniors and seniors – “Only five of those teachers meet HLC’s demands for credentials.” Anoka-Hennepin’s program has saved high school seniors more than $3.4 million over the last four years. McGonigal noted the change would cost district families up to $1.9 million just this year if the requirement were in effect now.

Jon Peterson, St. Paul Public Schools’ office of college and career readiness director, pointed out that for every dollar the district invested in concurrent enrollment courses, families saved $12.

Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, wrote that the HLC’s requirement “is a bit like a healthy patient with no sickness or malady being prescribed a treatment that has dangerous side effects to treat a nonexistent condition.”

State Sen. Greg Clausen, DFL-Apple Valley, believes the HLC’s demand “will create a major barrier for high school students to earn college credit.” He wrote: “For 30 years Minnesota has developed and invested in concurrent enrollment programs, creating pathways for students to a postsecondary education. During the 2014-2015 school year, this investment resulted in 24,731 Minnesota students enrolled in concurrent enrollment courses (up 40 percent since 2007), 208,629 college credits earned, saving families an estimated $38.7 million in college tuition costs.”

Sen. Terri Bonoff, DFL-Minnetonka, explained: “I left our hearing with an appreciation of how impactful concurrent enrollment is in our rural schools and how devastating, if implemented, the change could be for those schools in particular. … Our students’ success depends on their ability to access higher education at an affordable price in an approachable manner.”

St. Olaf College President and HLC board chair David Anderson has declined comment about the fact that several St. Olaf teaching faculty don’t have a master’s degree. St. Olaf also has one of Minnesota’s least accepting policies toward credit for Advanced Placement, Postsecondary Enrollment Options, and College in the Schools. Many institutions grant up to two years of credit; St. Olaf grants less than a year.

Nelson cited research at the hearing: “Students taking concurrent enrollment graduate at higher rates from high school, … earn higher GPAs and graduate from college quicker and with less student debt than their peers. … Dual enrollment helps close the achievement gap. What good can come out of this ill-advised, data-void, expensive new standard?”

I hope legislators consider:

–Asking the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to apply for delayed implementation of the HLC’s requirements for five years. Faced with protests from several states, the HLC offers this option.

–Urging Congress to hold hearings. The HLC’s power comes from Congress. Congress should investigate interference in schools from a group that is not elected and not accountable to the public. (Both U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken have criticized the HLC. I hope other members of Congress will join them, asking for hearings.)

–Creating a committee of high school and college faculty to examine ways that high school faculty can be given credit toward a master’s degree for past work with students, workshops and other experience.

–Asking the Office of Higher Education to publicize the different policies that various Minnesota Colleges and Universities have toward dual credit. Families need to know, for example, that St. Olaf is far less receptive to dual credit than most other Minnesota colleges and universities.

Minnesotans recognize the huge problem of college debt and immense value of earning a one-, two- or four-year postsecondary certificate or degree. So I urge readers to tell state and national legislators what they think.

Joe Nathan, formerly a Minnesota public school teacher, administrator and PTA president, is a former director and now senior fellow at the Center for School Change. Reactions are welcome at joe@centerforschoolchange.org.

Matthew Lattimore, Principal
Braham Area High School

It is hard to believe that we have crossed the halfway point of the school year.

Last Friday saw the end of semester 1 here at Braham Area High School. With that we have now finished up the first semester of our 1:1 Chromebook initiative that has all students in grades 5-12 with a device. We continue to see staff introducing students to new learning with research-based lessons using different types of apps and web-based technology for students to learn from. We have seen students using learning management systems like Google Classroom, to turn in their homework, take tests and notes using this program. As this new tool has been a great addition to the classroom, we still cannot forget the tried and true research-based lessons that our staff continue to use that does not include technology. Not every student learns the same and thus our staff meets the needs of our students and their different learning styles with the different types of teaching strategies that they use to increase student achievement.

Since we are at the halfway point, we have to start looking ahead to next year. During their time in advisory the past two weeks, students have started to review where they are at in the graduation process. Those students just entering 9th are looking at what it is going to take to graduate from Braham Area High School. Students are required to obtain 24.5 semester credits in the four years of high school. In those 24.5 credits, students are required to take a variety of course, from their core subjects like English, science, math and social studies. To electives like physical education, art, music, business, career technical, family consumer science, language, and business. When students leave here with a diploma, we know that they are college or career ready.

Early Childhood Screening will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 2 beginning at 8 a.m. If your child is age 3 and hasn’t been screened, call Sarah at 320-396-5218 to make an appointment. Completion of Early Childhood Screening is a requirement prior to being enrolled into Kindergarten.  Screening in early childhood supports children’s readiness for kindergarten and promotes positive child health and developmental outcomes. Questions regarding screening please call Lindsay at 320-396-5169

To ensure that we are reaching all of our students, we have some enrichment activities coming up. We have the spelling bee, science fair, all-conference band and choir, and the jazz festival just to name a few.

To find out more information about these events or information you may need about our district visit our website at www.braham.k12.mn.us. You can also follow us on Facebook at Braham Area Schools or on twitter @Braham_schools. Any of these sites are great ways to stay in touch with the happenings at Braham Area Schools.

Dear Editor:

It’s clear from Stewart Mills III supporter Andrew Morley’s recent letter attacking Rick Nolan that he has no clue about our congressman’s strong and effective record, his accomplishments or his successful efforts to work across the aisle in a bipartisan way to get things done for the people of Minnesota’s 8th District.

In fact, a highly regarded study by Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia, published in the Washington Post, named Rick Nolan one of the Top Ten Most Effective members of Congress. Republicans control both the U.S. House and Senate. So for Congressman Nolan to be so effective — passing important legislation like his Duluth safety amendment to the Transportation Bill and several defense amendments to stop the waste of taxpayer’s money in Afghanistan — he had to find Republican support, and he did. That kind of success and national recognition comes from experience, and the respect Congressman Nolan has earned from Democrats and Republicans alike.

While Congressman Nolan votes with Democrats much of the time, he doesn’t do so all of the time. What’s more, he’s always clear about his reasoning, and always willing to listen to all sides of any issue before making a decision.

So here’s the bottom line. In Rick Nolan, we have a strong, effective, experienced and independent-minded congressman who listens to the people he represents and gets things done. Regardless of political party, we should all be proud to have Congressman Rick Nolan representing us in Washington.

Barb Kruschel
Cambridge

Dear Editor:

Braham Area Girl Scouts “Season of Giving to You,” was a huge success and we would like to thank all who helped.

We had collection boxes all over town for toys, games, hats, mittens, etc. A few businesses and Braham residents helped adopt families in need.

We also received cash donations from community members in the amount of $437. We helped seven families with 20 children. We spent $436.

All items were wrapped and delivered before Christmas Eve. Again, thank you for all your help, making someone else’s Christmas a little brighter.

Tish Carlson, Service Unit Manager
Braham Girl Scouts

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Dear Editor:

Lakes and Pines would like to extend a big “thank you” to Kohl’s Cares for the generous donation of 26 books and 30 calendars that were donated to the Head Start Program. The items will be given to children who are enrolled in the Head Start Program with Lakes and Pines.

For more information about the Lakes and Pines Head Start Program visit www.lakesandpines.org or call 800-832-6082 ext. 138.

Robert Benes, Executive Director
Lakes and Pines

STATE OF MINNESOTA

COUNTY OF ISANTI

DISTRICT COURT TENTH

JUDICIAL DISTRICT

PROBATE COURT DIVISION

Court File No.: 30-PR-16-6

In Re: Estate of

Duane E. Christians

Deceased

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:

It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on March 8, 2016 at 9:00 a.m., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at the Isanti County Government Center, 555 18th Ave. SW, Cambridge, Minnesota, on the petition of Nancy J. Christians for the adjudication of intestacy and determination of the heirs of the above named decedent, and for the appointment of Nancy J. Christians whose address is 6529 307th Ave NE, North Branch, Minnesota 55056 as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in unsupervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, a personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real estate and personal property, and do all necessary acts tor the estate.

Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred.

Dated: January 25, 2016

/s/ James Dehn

Judge of District Court

/s/ Melissa Arbogast

Deputy Court Administrator

Glen A. Boyce

Attorney at Law

Atty. Reg. No.: 10352

BOYCE LAW OFFICES, LLC

6349 Main Street, P.O. Box 277

North Branch, MN 55056

Phone: (651) 674-6259

Published in the

Isanti County News

February 3, 10, 2016

504762

The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Nursing Department wishes to announce that it will host a site review for continued accreditation of its Associate of Science Degree nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

You are invited to meet the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled at 4 pm on Wednesday, February 10, at the Riverview Room on the Coon Rapids Campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted directly to:

Dr. Marsal Stoll, Chief Executive Officer

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

3343 Peachtree Road NE,

Suite 850

Atlanta, GA 30326

Or email: mstoll@acenursing.org

All written comments should be received by the ACEN by February 4, 2016.

Published in the

Isanti County News

February 3, 2016

505061

Isanti, Pine, Chisago & Kanabec Counties

ORGANIZATIONAL School Board Meeting, Monday, January 4, 2016

The 2016 Organizational School Board meeting was called to order by Acting Chairperson Steve Eklund at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

Members present: S. Eklund, T.Cuda, A. Flowers, A. Londgren, M. Thompson, R. Wyganowski, J. Paitl and Supt. Ken Gagner.

Members absent: None.

Motion by A. Londgren, second by T. Cuda to adopt the agenda with one day change under #20 to schedule a Working School Board meeting instead of a Policy Review Committee meeting. Carried.

Acting Chair Eklund called for nominations for the office of school board chair for 2016. T. Cuda nominated Steve Eklund, second by J. Paitl. After three calls, nominations ceased. Motion by M. Thompson, second by A. Flowers to call for the vote. Steve Eklund was elected school board chair for 2016 by a unanimous vote.

Chair Eklund called for nominations for the office of school board vice chair for 2016. A. Flowers nominated Mike Thompson, second by T. Cuda. After three calls, nominations ceased. Motion by T. Cuda, second by A. Londgren to call for the vote. Mike Thompson was elected school board vice chair for 2016 by a unanimous vote.

Chair Eklund called for nominations for the office of school board clerk for 2016. M. Thompson nominated Allison Londgren, second by T. Cuda. After three calls, nominations ceased. Motion by A. Flowers, second by M. Thompson to call for the vote. Allison Londgren was elected school board clerk for 2016 by a unanimous vote.

Chair Eklund called for nominations for the office of school board treasurer for 2016. M. Thompson nominated Tony Cuda, second by J. Paitl. After three calls, nominations ceased. Motion by A. Flowers, second by R. Wyganowski to call for a vote. Tony Cuda was elected school board treasurer for 2016 by a unanimous vote.

Motion by T. Cuda, second by M. Thompson that school board salaries remain the same at $800 for officers, $600 for directors; $75 for regular monthly school board meetings; to increase other meetings up to 4 hours to $50 from $25, for meetings of 4 to 8 hours stay at $75, and $125 for any other meetings over 8 hours in 1 day, contingent upon filing of claim form. There is no cap. Carried

Motion by T. Cuda, second by A. Flowers to set the regular school board meetings for July 2016 through June 2017 on the following dates:

Mon., July 18, 2016 Mon., Nov. 21, 2016 Mon., March 20, 2017

Mon., Aug. 15, 2016 Mon., Dec. 19, 2016 Mon., April 24, 2017(4th Mon)

Mon., Sep. 19, 2016 Mon., Jan. 23, 2017 (4th Mon) Mon., May 15, 2017

Mon., Oct. 17, 2016 Mon., Feb. 27, 2017 (4th Mon) Mon., June 19, 2017

Carried.

Motion by T. Cuda, second by R. Wyganowski to set the Organizational meeting for Monday, January 9, 2017, 7:00 p.m. in the Braham Area High School Community Room. Carried

Motion by A. Londgren, second by A. Flowers to adopt the following resolution designating official depositories for 2016:

RESOLVED, that the Frandsen Bank & Trust of Braham and the Bremer Bank, Lake Elmo, MN be designated as official depositories for 2014 and that funds of this school district deposited in said banks be subject to withdrawal upon checks, notes, drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances, under-taking of other orders for the payment of money when signed on behalf of this school district by three of its officers to wit: Chair, Clerk and Treasurer. Carried.

Motion by T. Cuda, second by R. Wyganowski to authorize the Superintendent of Schools and district office designees to have online banking access to the Braham Schools accounts at the Frandsen Bank & Trust. Carried.

Motion by A. Londgren, second by M. Thompson to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund (MSDLAF+) be designated as the official depository for State Funds due to the district. Carried.

Motion by A. Flowers, second by T. Cuda to authorize the Superintendent of Schools and designees to make electronic transfers of District 314 monies. Carried.

Motion by M. Thompson, second by A. Flowers to adopt the following operating procedure for collateral as it relates to investment of district funds and to designate the Superintendent of Schools to approve collateral as per these guidelines:

Acceptable Collateral: U.S. Treasury Notes or Bonds Securities and other federal agency bonds pledged as collateral: The market value of the securities pledged as collateral must be greater than 110% of the deposits with the corresponding institutions. Carried.

Motion by T. Cuda, second by A. Flowers to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the school board desires to use facsimile signatures on all district checks to eliminate the need to have board officers sign each check issued. The Superintendent of Schools shall provide for this procedure. The board also directs the current facsimile signatures be used until the new signatures can be obtained, if necessary. Carried.

Motion by T. Cuda, second by M. Thompson to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the school board desires to have the Superintendent of Schools, or his designee, make investments of school district funds when balances are present. The board also desires that the Superintendent, or his designee, perform the duties of clerk and treasurer. Carried.

Motion by A. Londgren, second by A. Flowers to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the school board desires to have the Superintendent of Schools properly authorized to enter into leases on behalf of the board, and to purchase and contract for goods and services within general budget categories. Carried.

Motion by T. Cuda, second by J. Paitl to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the school board wishes to take advantage of payment discounts on purchases and recognize the terms of contracts, purchase orders and vendors. The school board authorizes the superintendent of schools and/or the school board clerk to pay claims against the district prior to a regularly scheduled board meeting if the claim addresses the conditions mentioned in this resolution. Carried.

Motion by A. Londgren, second by T. Cuda to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the school board wishes to appoint legal counsel for 2016 and that legal counsel shall be the firm of Ratwik, Roszak and Maloney. Carried.

Motion by T. Cuda, second by J. Paitl to appoint the Isanti County News to serve as School District 314s official publication for 2016. Carried.

Motion by A. Flowers, second by R. Wyganowski to set the mileage and meal allowance for all district employees for 2016 as follows:

Mileage: reimbursement at the IRS allowable rate which is $.54 per mile; and,

Meals: Breakfast – $8.50, Lunch – $11.00, Supper – $13.50; with allowable reimbursement

at the registration set fee for workshops, meetings, etc., when such is the case. Carried.

School board committee membership assignments for 2016 were discussed and set as listed below.

Committee Assignment 2016 School Board Representative(s):

Budget Advisory S. Eklund, M.Thompson, R. Wyganowski

Buildings/Grounds & Transportation S. Eklund, T. Cuda, J. Paitl

Central MN Serv Co-op/ Resource Trng Sol A. Londgren

Comm. Educ. Advisory Council A. Londgren

Donald F. Olson Scholarship S. Eklund, A. Londgren, T. Cuda

ECMECC S. Eklund

Worlds Best WorkForce A. Londgren, alt. M. Thompson

Isanti Co. Human Rights Commission Supt. of Schools /alt. M. Thompson

Isanti Co. Interagency Collaborative M. Thompson

Legislative (SEE) S. Eklund

Meet & Confer A. Flowers, M. Thompson, J. Paitl

MN State H.S. League S. Eklund /alt. A. Londgren

Policy Review T. Cuda, A. Flowers, R. Wyganowski

RRSEC Joint Powers Agreement M. Thompson

Technology T. Cuda, A. Flowers

Negotiating Committees:

Superintendent S. Eklund, M. Thompson

Administration A. Flowers, J. Paitl

Teachers T. Cuda, S. Eklund, R. Wyganowski

District Office S. Eklund, A. Londgren

Custodians T. Cuda, S. Eklund

Secretaries/Paras T. Cuda, A. Flowers

Food Service A. Flowers, A. Londgren

Title 1 S. Eklund, A. Flowers

Motion by M. Thompson, second by A. Flowers to accept the committee assignments as listed. Carried.

Motion by M. Thompson, second by R. Wyganowski to set a Working School Board meeting for Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the high school. The main purpose of the meeting will be continued discussion of the Worlds Best WorkForce.

Reminder of the next Regular School Board meeting scheduled for Monday, January 25, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room (B100) at the high school.

Motion by A. Londgren, second by A. Flowers to close the organizational meeting at 7:29 p.m. Carried.

Allison Londgren, Clerk

Attest: Steve Eklund, Chair

Published in the Isanti County News, February 3, 2016, 503490

http://isanticountynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/02/503490-1.pdf

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The Rum River BMX track in Isanti has received national attention. After thousands of volunteer hours, and countless events and practices, the Rum River BMX track has been rated USA BMX’s top track in the country.

Since becoming a year-round indoor track in February 2015, the Rum River BMX Association has watched its track grow into a large-scale destination for local and regional riders.

There is a lot going on behind the scenes that helps make this track great, and according to track operator Kevin Riedemann, this track is second to none.

“We put in thousands of volunteer hours every year,” Riedemann said. “We’re always looking for more,

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but we have a very dedicated group of volunteers that make this happen.”

The volunteers consist of experienced riders and parents who see the benefit of getting involved. The

volunteer aspect plays a key role in keeping the track operational. Aside from the volunteer work; however, there are three major factors that go into being named the top track.

“It’s based on your rider count, your education programs and how riders are moving through your programs, and it’s based on your total riders with memberships,” Riedemann shared.

The riders who learn through Rum River’s program have also been known to reach national success.

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According to Riedemann, the track recently had around 11 riders finish in the top 20 of their respective national age group. Out of all the national age group riders for 2015, riders from Rum River placed anywhere between second and 15th overall.

The Rum River BMX track has been ranked highly before, but 2015 is the first year the track has claimed the No. 1 spot. Setting another milestone, the track is also the first cold weather track to receive the honor. With the harsh winters in Minnesota, it would be impossible for them to have done this without being located inside the Isanti Indoor Arena.

For Riedemann and his crew, this was never the most important side of running the track. It has, and will always, be about having fun and helping kids learn what BMX is all about.

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“This was never our goal specifically to be the number one track,” Riedemann said. “Obviously it is a great honor and it really shows how much effort all the volunteers and riders put in. It’s just rewarding to see this hard work pay off.”

The Rum River BMX third annual Parents Night Out event will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at Wintergreens Bar and Grill in Isanti. There will be karaoke, games, a silent auction and other fun activities. There will also be free designated tap beer from 8:30-11 p.m. with the purchase of a $10 wristband. All adults are welcome, and you do not need to be a parent of a BMX rider to attend. Proceeds from the event will help support equipment upgrades and youth education at the track.

For more information on the Rum River BMX Association, visit www.usabmx.com/tracks/1549.

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Glen Loren Johnson, age 82, St. Cloud, MN, died Monday, February 1, 2016 at Quiet Oaks Hospice House, St. Augusta, MN.
Funeral services will be Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Community Church, St. Cloud, MN. Pastor Matthew Molesky will officiate. Visitation will be Friday, February 5, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Calvary Community Church and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Strike Cemetery, Isanti, MN. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.
Glen was born April 20, 1933 in Minneapolis, MN to Edwin and Esther (Olander) Johnson. He graduated from Robbinsdale High School and attended Bethel College for one year. Glen served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1955. He also served one year in God’s Invasion Army. On May 22, 1959 Glen was united in marriage to Marjorie Larson at Elim Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN.
Glen was employed in sales by Turnquist Paper Company, Anchor Paper Company, Printing Arts, Lake State Specialties and Venture Graphics. He was a member of Calvary Community Church, where he served as worship leader, choir director and led the greeting ministry. Glen participated in Men’s Prayer Breakfast and was a member of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed NASCAR and automobiles, camping, boating, Southern Gospel music and watching the grandchildren’s sports teams.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Johnson of St. Cloud, MN; sons, Gary (Rachel) Johnson of Isanti, MN, Kurt (Laury) Johnson of Richfield, MN, Greg (Julie) Johnson of Champlin, MN; ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Harlis “Ed” Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Quiet Oaks Hospice House.

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Back by popular demand, this spring, Cambridge-Isanti Community Education will offer various soccer clinics for youth in Isanti County.

Knee High Soccer is a youth soccer program created by Jamie Hansen, a USA certified youth soccer coach. Hansen has been working with preschool and primary age students for 25 years and is a licensed physical education teacher.

“Knee High Soccer is a comprehensive program that consists of age-appropriate games and activities,” she said.

The program is run by Hansen, volunteers consisting of primarily local high school soccer players, and Community Education Supervisor Joelle Tveldt. This program is designed to introduce young kids to soccer, in a fun, non-competitive environment. According to Hansen, it is all about getting the kids active.

“It is meant to be an intro (to) sports and activities for young kids,” she said. “This program is about introducing them to the fundamental skills they will need in sports.”

The program was originally offered to 3- and 4-year-olds, but due to the popularity, Hansen decided to

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offer more sessions accommodating a wider variety of ages.

Tiny Toddlers for ages 2 and 3, Typical Tots for ages 3 and 4, Talented Tykes for ages 4 and 5, and Turbo Titans for ages 5 and 6.

The programs begin April 9 and end May 14. During the six-week program, the kids will learn the fundamentals of the game, while all being allowed an equal opportunity to play.

“We have every child active all the time, there are no lines, no waiting,” she added. “Every kid gets a ball.”

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A large part of what the program offers, is a way for young kids to begin strengthening their motor skills while playing games.

“It develops flexibility, coordination, balance, agility, all those things, and they don’t even realize it,” Hansen said.

According to Hansen, the participation and improvement are the keys to Knee High’s success.

“There’s new participants all the time, and it is amazing the improvement I will see,” she said. “It is amazing when I see that kind of improvement it makes me want to cry.”

Hansen has designed her program after extensive studying of top American and European soccer

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programs. Her goal is to have her athletes ready to play at a competitive level if they choose to.

To learn more about Knee High Soccer, visit Cambridge-Isanti Community Education at cambridge.k12.mn.us or check out its brochure.